Strategic Estates Manager (East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service)

Salary: 54494 to 61064 ( 5000 Market Supplement)

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Closing date: 03 May 2026

How to apply: Please apply through this link: ESFRS Jobs Search here for your perfect career - Jobs Page

Who to contact if you have a query: For an informal discussion about the role please contact the Assistant Director Resources & Treasurer Duncan Savage or

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is seeking an outstanding and forward-thinking estates / property professional to lead our Estates function. We are seeking a strategic innovative and collaborative leader who will deliver our vision of an estate that is fit for purpose supports the delivery of our community & enabling offers and meets the needs of our diverse workforce.

You will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all aspects of the Services built estate including capital projects regulatory compliance and co-ordination of the development and delivery of the service-wide environmental and sustainability action plan.

You will have a proven ability to lead an estates function deliver change and have the credibility and influence to work effectively with senior leaders elected members and external partners.

This is an exciting time to join East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. We are committed to continued investment in our estate improving its management on a day-to-day basis and collaborating with our public sector partners. This role will help ensure East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is well positioned to contribute to and benefit from these developments while continuing to deliver outstanding services locally.

About the role
Reporting to the Assistant Director Resources & Treasurer the Strategic Estates Manager will:

• Lead and manage our proactive user focused Estates Team to support the Fire Authoritys purpose to reduce risk and save lives - together.

• Oversee our estate of 23 community fire stations a fleet workshop and a training centre.

• Be based at our shared headquarters with Sussex Police in Lewes and travel across East Sussex to ensure all of our sites are well maintained and invested in to meet the needs of all our users.

• Develop and shape our new estates strategy to co-ordinate our approach to sustainability and reduce our environmental impact.

• Bring their experience of managing capital and revenue budgets providing cost efficient technical solutions and introducing innovation to ways of working and optimise the use of our estate.

• Collaborate with our internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Be responsible for all statutory compliance across the estate including statutory and grant funding applications.

What we are looking for
Your proven experience will demonstrate that you have:

• An ability to scrutinise detail whilst operating at a strategic level.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are articulate and can present complex technical issues succinctly and clearly.

• An appropriate professional qualification or degree and/or significant professional client-side estates & project management experience both in the public and private sector.

• A demonstrable track record of delivering high quality complex major capital construction projects in occupied operational buildings and a good knowledge of statutory requirements and overseeing facilities teams.

• A sound knowledge of budget management construction contracts complex mechanical & electrical systems facilities management and public sector procurement as well as managing multi-disciplinary external consultant teams is also an essential requirement of the role.

• A valid driving licence and travel throughout the service area is a requirement for this post.

Why Join East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has a vital role in protecting communities supporting local resilience and responding to emergencies across the county.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead the estates function in a modern emergency service.

• Shape how our built estate supports our community and enabling offers frontline firefighters and staff.

• Work at senior level within a highly respected public service organisation.

• Influence collaboration and improvement across the wider Sussex public sector and fire service landscape.
  

We offer a competitive salary membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme flexible working and strong professional development opportunities.